Monday 19 / May / 2025
Muscat: The Department of Blood Banks Services (DBBS) has clarified the procedures and conditions before donating immune plasma.
A statement issued online by DBBS said, "DBBS explained that there are procedures and conditions which must be fulfilled before donating plasma. The patient must wait for more than 14 days after being symptom-free and also wait until the end of his quarantine period in order to be able to donate plasma."
The DBBS added, "The donor should meet the conditions for donating blood (such as weight, age 18-60 years, etc.). He must not have any contraindication to blood donation (such as chronic diseases, infectious diseases, blood diseases etc.)
The DBBS also said, "If the donor has not previously donated blood or donated for a long time, additional tests are conducted before the plasma donation procedure to make sure that he is free from infectious diseases and to know the blood type. Women who have previously conceived cannot donate plasma."
The DBBS confirmed that "Plasma donation differs from blood donation, as it is done by a device that draws and separates the blood. This process takes 40-60 minutes. The donor can donate plasma once every seven days. There are a number of donors who've recovered from COVID-19 and can donate plasma more than once."
"DBBS thanked all the initiatives taken by authorities to persuade recovered employees to donate plasma and coordinate appointments to donate plasma within the department. The department also welcomed any inquiries about donating immune plasma through WhatsApp service 94555648 or call 24591255," the statement added.
